“Well, if you had bothered to come to my wedding, you’d have met Pastor Dindak, already,” Joanie sasses right back without missing a beat as she unconsciously places a hand on the gentle swell of her stomach.
“I would have, but I was terrified you’d throw your garter at me and then I’d be next,” I answer before reaching out a hand to the man across from her. “Jessup Nerella. Good to meet you.”
“Rob Dindak, same,” he replies, and I can’t remember the last time I felt so comfortable with someone I just met. “I hope you don’t mind me crashing your meal, but Joanie wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Leaning forward, I keep my voice low when I respond, “She’s a troublemaker, our Joanie. A few years back, I decided she works for the sheriff’s office to stay one step ahead of them.”
“I suppose it should please a man like you, that I choose not to judge others,” he drawls out his reply with the corner of his mouth twitching just enough to add humor to his words.
Keeping my eyes locked on the man seated across from me, I acknowledge Joanie’s news. “How far along are you?”
“Just about six months,” she answers, pushing a menu into my arm so I look away from Dindak as I accept it. “It’s a girl, to answer your next question.”
After that, Joanie keeps up a steady stream of chatter, steering the pastor and myself away from any tricky topics.
“I’m going to run to the little girls’ room,” she says and Dindak immediately stands up to pull her chair out. “You two behave.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I drawl, waiting for her to move further away. “What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” he asks in reply, his face suddenly becoming guarded.
“You and every man in this room have been eyeing the door every time it opens and Joanie’s tense as fuck. I’d like an idea of what’s going on around here.”
“There’s a new man in town. Rich, buying up property and such. The men who work for him are a bit rougher than we’re used to. I just don’t want anything going down around Joanie, with her condition and all. I expect it will settle down.” Even though he shrugs, the last sentence betrays the wariness in his voice.
As Joanie reappears, I just nod and drop the subject, knowing I’ll bring it up with Mills tonight.
Fall 2025
Everly
“Hey Dad!” I try to sound cheery when I pick up his call.
It’s been a long day driving up and down the North Fork Road, dealing with the fallout from a pack of wolves last night. Not to mention how much my arm still hurts from the breech calf I delivered two days ago.
“Are you doing alright?” he immediately asks, and I sigh.
“I am. I’m just tired and looking forward to our visit,” I answer him honestly.
“That’s actually why I was calling.” Dad’s a very decisive person, so the hesitation in his voice has me frowning. “Maybe I can visit you for a change?”
This is bad, I think, pulling over into the mouth of the Sweets’ long driveway. Between his feed store and the church, he hasn’t taken time off since I graduated from Veterinary School.
“Tell me what’s happened,” I demand after a long pause.
“There’s a new…elementin town. I don’t know how comfortable I am with you being around right now, but I very much want to see you,” his response is annoyingly vague—also, not like him. I don’t think the man has ever beaten around the bush.
“Element? Are you talking extraterrestrials or like, Crips and Bloods?”
He lets out a snort at my question. “I think I’d prefer either of those.”
“Are you in danger?” I ask, trying to quell the shivers running up and down my spine.
“You don’t need to worry about me, baby girl. I didn’t mean to get you all wound up. It’s just with Mills out, I’d rather get a better handle on things before you visit.”
That last line silences my next question. Art Mills has been Kent County’s sheriff for as long as I can remember, and he was a deputy before that.
“What do you mean, Mills is out?”
